Additional Sessions Judge O P Gupta held West Delhi resident Ravinder guilty of committing attempt to murder under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, saying the injuries inflicted by him on victim Parveen could have been fatal.
"Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case and the rival submissions, I do not find that accused deserves any leniency. The injuries could have proved fatal as has been deposed by prosecution witness Dr Trilok Chand of RML hospital.
"Victim cannot be lost sight of while awarding sentence. I deem it fit to impose a sentence of rigorous imprisonment for three years and a fine of Rs 5,000," the judge said.
Counsel for the convict had sought leniency on the ground that he is the sole bread winner in his family, had no prior criminal record and is a handicapped person.
According to the prosecution, Praveen had hired a shopping outlet from Ravinder at village Mundka in West Delhi and used to sell his electronic good from there.
The prosecution told the court that Ravinder had stabbed Praveen in the chest on August 17, 2011 morning at Mundka following a quarrel between the two over the alleged sale of victim's TV and CDs by the convict.
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Praveen had deposed that he used to sell CDs from the shop he had hired from Ravinder and alleged that when he vacated the premises, the convict had sold some CDs and a TV, which had been left behind.
Praveen said when enquired about missing CDs and the TV from the shop, the convict first beat him up and then stabbed him in the chest.
The court convicted Ravinder relying on victim's statement and said, "Injured cannot be termed as interested witness. Rather he is the most natural witness and his statement carries weight".